the secure earth, I decided to come to an understanding with the
young man.

Accordingly, on the following morning, I entered his apartment
and addresses myself to Poor Jr. as severely as I could (for,
truthfully, in all his follies I had found no ugliness in his
spirit--only a good-natured and inscrutable desire of wild
amusement) reminding him of the authority his father had deputed
to me, and having the venturesomeness to hint that the son
should show some respect to my superior age.

To my consternation he replied by inquiring if I had shaved my
head as yet that morning. I could only drop in a chair,
stammering to know what he meant.

"Didn't you suppose I knew?" he asked, elevating himself
slightly on his elbow from the pillow. "Three weeks ago I left
my aged parent in London and ran over here for a day. I saw you
at the Cafe' de la Paix, and even then I knew that it was
shaved, not naturally bald. When you came here I recognized you
like a shot, and that was why I was glad to accept you as a
guardian. I've enjoyed myself considerably of late, and you've
been the best part of it,--I think you are a wonderation! I
wouldn't have any other governess for the world, but you surpass
the orchestra when you beg me to respect your years! I will bet
you four dollars to a lead franc piece that you are younger than
I am!"

Imagine the completeness of my dismay! Although he spoke in
tones the most genial, and without unkindness, I felt myself a